Paul Ryan Asked for Stimulus Cash, Then Lied About Doing So

World's fittest man Paul Ryan is in a bit of ideological trouble today after it was revealed that the congressman lied about requesting a stimulus package. Just yesterday Ryan told ABC's Cincinatti affiliate:

"I never asked for stimulus," Ryan said. "I don't recall… so I really can't comment on it. I opposed the stimulus because it doesn't work, it didn't work."

And a couple of years ago he said this:

"I'm not one [of those] people who votes for something then writes to the government to ask them to send us money. I did not request any stimulus money," the congressman answered.

Only problem is that he totally did request stimulus money, just one year earlier:

In 2009, Ryan wrote to Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis asking for stimulus money to cover costs on two energy conservation projects in his home state of Wisconsin. In the letter, Ryan said the funds would help create jobs and reduce "energy consumption" in the state. At least one of the companies received the requested cash.

After getting called out as a hypocrite and liar, Ryan fessed up, sort of.

"After having these letters called to my attention I checked into them, and they were treated as constituent service requests in the same way matters involving Social Security or Veterans Affairs are handled," Ryan said in a statement. "This is why I didn't recall the letters earlier. But they should have been handled differently, and I take responsibility for that."

But he couldn't end it without getting one last childish dig in at President Obama.

"Regardless, it's clear that the Obama stimulus did nothing to stimulate the economy, and now the President is asking to do it all over again."

I think what Ryan meant to say was: "I used the stimulus until it was no longer politically advantageous for me, and then I shit all over it."

Of course, this is all in keeping with Ryan's longstanding tradition of making things up or exaggerating them in order to enhance his reputation.